Making Commuting Fun

While an increasing number of people are working from home, most of us still spend significant amounts of time in our cars or the train or a bus going to and from a job, visiting clients, or if you are lucky just going back and forth to the bank to deposit your big checks.

Like we discussed in a recent post, those minutes can really add up.  You might not be able to easily reduce the amount of time you spend in the car, but you can probably make better use of your time and arrive more relaxed, smarter, and more prepared for what comes next.  So here are 10 tips for spending your commuting time wisely.

1. Review the day from multiple perspectives. Don't just think about the day from one perspective, but think about a few key interactions you had (face-to-face, over the phone, or e-mail) and think about them from the perspective of each of the other people involved.  Then imagine you are an objective 3rd party just watching the interaction and think about it from that perspective.  This always has a way of adding some new perspective to the situation for me.  And remember just because you think about it from their perspective doesn't mean you know what they are thinking...you probably aren't a mind reader yet, but at least you can see the situation from a perspective other than your own.
2. Recall the things that went really well during your day. When were you at your very best?  What did you really excel at?  Did you surprise yourself with how superb your performance was?  While thinking about this, think about what things you want to be doing next?
3. Be grateful. Think about all the things in your life you are really grateful for.  Start with what you are grateful for right now, in this very moment.  Then think about each of the areas of your life: work, family, friends, financially, etc.  If this doesn't change your perspective a  bit, not sure what can be done for you.
4. Connect with someone you haven't reached out to for a while or someone you know who might need a boost. You can always check an action item off your list by making a needed call on your mobile.  You can also choose to reach out to someone and just connect.  You can reach out to someone you know who might need a boost.  The more selfless you can your intention in making the call the better.
5. Improve your Memory. Memory is primarily a function of usage and training.  So train your brain to pay attention to details and things it might not otherwise notice.  Make it a game.  Try to remember license plate numbers of cars you've passed.  If you go the same way regularly, try to remember the exact wording on an upcoming billboard you've seen a 100 times.  As you pass it you can check yourself.  You can try to remember what your significant other or kids were wearing when you saw them as you walked out the door.  You can try to remember the lines from a movie or TV show you saw the night before.  You can try to remember what each of the people in the last meeting you had were wearing, exactly what they said (word for word) and if you can hear in your mind the exact tonality as they said it, even better.  If you do this consistently your memory will dramatically improve.
6. Listen to music (intentionally). Sure, many people listen to music while travelling, but for what purpose?  To keep them from going cold-stone crazy?  What mood would you like to be in when you get where you are going?  Do you want to be relaxed, creative, pumped up, motivated, or even angry and aggressive?  Find music in your collection, or go buy some more that will help you get into the moods you want.  Make a playlist on your iPod for each mood and when you get in the car, pick your mood and let the music help you arrive prepared.  You have seen Olympic athletes listening to music as they prepare for the biggest events in their lives.  Now go and be an Olympian in your own life!
7. Do some writing or public speaking. Are you working on writing the great-American novel, the next Self-Help or just your next blog post or twitter tweat?  If you can take notes on your commute it's a great time to brainstorm.  If you are driving get a little voice recorder and record your ideas.  You might also be able to practice for an upcoming speech or presentation, or just asking your boss for the raise you deserve.  Talk our loud and hear yourself talk, do it until you sound the way you want and are sure you'll get the desired response.
8. Listen to audiobooks and podcasts.  Keep current and learn a skill. I generally don't advise people to spend a lot of time listening to the news.  So little of it has lasting value, but think about what you can learn.  Pimsleur language lessons usually contain 3 levels of 30 30-minute lessons.  So basically in 90 hours (assuming you repeat each one twice) you could have reasonable fluency in a foreign language.  If you just did 30 minutes a day, in one year you could have reasonable mastery of two new languages.  Audiobooks are normally from 3-20 hours.  Many people can get through an additional 10-20 books a year this way.  That can get expensive, so try Podcasts there are thousands of them and most are free.  It's true that most of them are lousy, so try some out until you find something that really speaks to you.
9. Close the Loops. At the end of a long day most people will have engaged in far more multi-tasking than is really healthy for normal human beings.  Multi-tasking often means there are a lot of  incompleted tasks at the end of the day and that wacky unconscious mind just keeps working on them.  If you have a minute before leaving the office go through and consciously complete things.  Consciously shut-down email (get to Inbox Zero if you must), turn off the machine, monitor or fold up the laptop very deliberately.  Organize the papers on your desk in some conscious way.  Pick up the phone and  hang it up again.  Open and close your desk drawers.  Do anything else to signify that you are closing up your day and transitioning.  As you walk out, notice the sound of the door closing on your way out.  As you begin your transition home, let your mind wander to any unfinished conversations or activities, and note mentally if needed, but preferably on paper or a voice recorder what needs to happen tomorrow to move those things forward.  Then consciously shift your thinking to something else.  If you do this thoroughly you will have a very smooth transition to your next set of activities and be able to approach things with a fresh mind the next day.
10. Practice Progressive Relaxation. As you drive or ride home, begin to pay attention to the feelings in your body.  Begin with the toes and notice them, notice the weight of your toes, notice any tension, and allow the tension to fall away and consciously make your toes relax.  Work slowly and progressively up your body, noticing the feelings in each part of your body and relax each part.  Only keep the tension necessary to be safe and alert.  If you find yourself getting drowsy, stop and move your body to get alert again.  If you can learn to relax your body like this then you can really release tension and arrive at your destination ready for what's next.

Hopefully these tips are useful.  I'd love to hear your ideas on how you use your commuting time wisely.

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